Vast majority of activists to leave Israel by week's end. Sixteen of those detained by Israel remain unidentified

Roni Sofer|Published: 06.01.10 , 13:12

Sixteen of the 679 activists from the Gaza aid flotilla
who were detained by Israel refuse to identify themselves. The political echelon has yet to decide how to deal with them. Those who have identified themselves will be deported from Israel by the end of the week.

Over 40 of the activists left Israel on Tuesday, including a former American diplomat. The deportation of the 36 injured activists may take longer.

Soldiers, officers bring passengers of Marmara ship under arrest at Ashdod port, first questioning each separately and then transferring them to Beersheba Prison, where they receive toiletries, meal, and beds

Three Israeli citizens, all Israeli-Arabs who were on the deck of the ship were slated to stand a remand hearing.

The Interior Ministry and the Immigration Authority has yet to decide on how to handle the unidentified activists. Sources believe that at some point, the activists will break and identify themselves will passports or other documents, and it will then be possible to deport them.

Either way, the 16, along with the remaining 663 foreign activists, will be brought before a Justice Ministry official who will decide whether to extend their detention or have them released.

The detainees who have been identified will be brought before the Justice Ministry official within three days of their detention. They will then be immediately slapped with an injunction ordering them to stay out of Israel.

The Israel Prison Serve and Internal Security Ministry will transfer the activists to the airport. From there, they will board airplanes out of Israel, with tickets purchased by the Interior Ministry.

Sources believe that by the end of the week, the vast majority of the activists will have left Israel.

As for the activists who have been hospitalized, depending on the severity of their condition, some will be questioned and face a Justice Ministry official while still in hospital.

Following medical evaluations and under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, those activists whose medical condition allows it will be flown out of Israel. The others, in more serious condition, will be treated until they recover.

Meanwhile, the identification process of the nine who were killed in the incident continues. The process is being carried out by the Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the relevant countries' consulates.